Splint machine



Nov. 6, 1923.

W. H. COLLIER SPLINT MACHINE Filed Oct. 24 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 /ll W: IL

Nov. 6 1923.

W. H. COLLIER SPLINT MACHINE Filed Oct. 24. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 6,1923. v I 1,473,545 w. H. COLLIER SPLINT MACHINE Filed oct. 24. 1921 4 sheets-sheet 5 mvento #ff/2km?? if @51g @whom/wig i Nov. 6, 1923.

W. H. COLLIER SPLINT MACHINE Filed Octv 24. 4 Sheets-Shea?l 4 Patented Nov. 6, 1923.

WILLIAM H. COLLIER, F PAINSVILLE, OHIO.`

Parleur` o Fries.'

SPLINT MACHINE.

Application lled October 24, 1921. Serial`No. 510,079.

T o all zclzom it may concern Beit known that I, IVILLIAM H.v CoLLIER, 'a citizen ofthe United States, and a resident of Painesville` Lake County, State of `Ohio, have Linvented certain new and useful Improvements in Splint Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is for a new and improved machine, entirely automatic in its operation, for cutting splints from logs. In the old practice of cutting splints from veneer, the veneer was `first cut from the log and Sawed or cut lengthwise into strips of therequired width. These two operations wereusually performed in one machine. It was then necessary for the workmen to transfer piles of these strips of veneer to a separate machine. commonlv called a cli er in 7 Vwhich a reciprocating knife clipped orcut the strips transversely into splints. That process required the use of at least two machines and entailed additional labor, with a corresponding increase in the cost of manufacture. l

It is the, object of my present invention to overcome the foregoing and other objections by a machine which automatically performs the three functions of cutting veneer from a log, dividing the veneer lengthwise into strips of predetermined width and cutting the strips transversely into splints. As far as Iam aware, I am the rst to produce a commercially practical automatic machine of this kind, and Il therefore claim broadly any construction embodying the basic features of my invention, as will later appear.

For the purpose of explainingr the principle and advantages of my invention, I will refer to the accompanying drawings, which show an illustrative embodiment of my invention.. In these drawings- Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-section of a machine constructed in accordance with my invention Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a transverse cross-sectionV approximately on the broken line 3- -3 of Fig. 1. looking in the direction vof the arrows;

'Fig 4 is a detached perspective view on an enlarged scale, showing how my new cutting mechanism cuts the veneer lengthwise into strips and crosswise into splints; I

Fig. 5 is a detached view in'elevation of a modified form of splint-cutter in which the teeth are so arrangedas tocut tapered splints; l y p Fig. 6 is an end view of F ig. 5 and Fig. 7 illustrates diagrammatically how a strip of veneer is cut into tapered splints.

by the cutter shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

A log l. is rotatably supported in the machine by any suitable means heretofore used in veneer-cutting machinery. I need not, therefore, described in detail how the log is rotated. Itis sufficient to say that the log is supported between a pair of chucks 2 (see Fig. 3), which are rotated ata proper speed from a suitable source of power, as will be understood.n A knife 3 is arranged to cut veneer from the log .as the latter is 'rotated in the direction of the` arrow a in Fig. 1.- The knife 3 is mounted onv a frame or knife-bar 4, which is automatically adjustable as the log is cut down to keep the knife 3 in proper cutting position. As this is an old feature in veneer-cutting machinery,

I need not go into any detail concerning it.

A roller 5, preferably of steel, presses against the rotating log along a line slightly in advance of the cutting edge of the knife, as shown in Fig. 1, andis rotated by this frictional contact, at the surface speed lof the log. vlThe roller 5 is supported by a. air of slidable blocks v6 mounted in recesses of side pieces or members 8 (see Fig. 3). The pressure of the roller 5 against the log is adjusted by a pair of bolts 9 mounted in lugs 10 of the supporting frame 11, to which the side members 8 are secured. To rmit adjustment of the members 8 on the framev 11, these members are providedlwithelongated openings '12, through which pass boltsl 13. The inner ends of the bolts'9 bear against the side pieces 8. To regulatethe pressure of the roller 5 against the' log, it

-is only necessary to loosen the bolts 13 and turn the bolts 9 in the right'.r direction `until the end pieces 8 have been shlfted suiliciently toward or from the log. The bolts 1 3 are IOS row b in Fig. -1, the blocks 6 are'bodily shifted toward the left (as viewed in Fig. 1), thereby carrying the pressure roller/5 away from the log. Any suitable means may be used 'for turning the shaft 16, such as a-handle diagrammatically indicated at 18 in Fig 1. It should be understood that, the operation -of the shaft 16 has nothing to do with adjusting the pressure of the roller .against the log, but is for'the purpose of .moving the roller away from the log out 'of o erative osition` or a ainst the lo into i g g operative position; The pressure ofthe roll'- er 5 against the log is regulatedbythebolts 9, as previously described.

This roller presents amoving surface to the log and may, therefore, be drivenI with less power than the stationary bar of the prior machines. The roller 5 does not tend to injure the fibers and produces veneer of uniform smoothness.- It will be understood A that as the knife 3 is automatically adjusted in its relation to the rotating log during the cutting' process, the pressure roller 5 moves along with the knife.' This automatic ad-v justment of the pressure roller simultaneously with the knife 3 is not part of my present invention and may be carried out in I the same way as the automatic adjustment to pass over the table 19 to the front of the machine. When the trap-door 21 is dropped, asindicated roughl by the dotted lines 21', the veneer passes t rough the opening 23. |The purpose of the trap-door 21 is to keep faulty or waste material'from the splint cutters lat-the front of the machine. Aslogs are put into the machine `with the bark on, the first cuttings are waste material. When this begins to come ofi' the log, the attendant Vopens the-trap-door 21 and allows the material to pass out through the opening 23.

As soon as good veneer begins to appear from between the roller 5 and the knife 3, the attendant closes the trap-door 21 and allows the veneer to pass over the table 19 to the cutters, which I will presently describe. Any suitable means may be employed for operating the trap-door 21. In Fig. 1, I have shown a link 24 connecting the trap-door 21 with an arm 25 secured to a shaft 26, which may be operated in any convenient way. The trap-door 21 preferably has a cutting edge 27 at its free end.

The table 19 is provided with a @strip of steel 28 having a cutting edge 29. The cutting edges 27 and 29 co-operate to' cut the veneer 'when the trap-door 21 is swung into closed or normal position, thus giving the veneer a clean front ed e.

I will now describe the orm of mechanism ,shown -in the drawings for cutting the ve- 'neer lengthwise into stripsn and cutting the strips crosswise into splints. At the front end of the machine is rotatably mounted a transverse shaft 30 sup orted in suitable bearings 31, -as shown in igs. 2 and 3. On

the shaft '30 are iixed a plurality of circular saws 32 anda plurality of rotary cutters 33. In the particular construction shown,

there are five saws and six cutters." In practice, where two-foot logs are used, there will be eleven sawsto cut the veneer into tweleve strips of about two inches width each, and there willbe alcutter for each strip. Lack of space on the drawin sheets has prevented me from showing is arrangement, but it will be clearly understood.-

A bushing 34 and nut 35 (see Fig. 3) hold the saws 32 and cutters 33 firmly clamped on the shaft. The distance between the outer edges of the two outer cutters is ap' proximately the width Vof the veneer, and

thewidth of each cutter is determined by the width of splint\ to be cut. Suitable -means, such as keys or splines 36 (see Figs.

1 and 4), lock the saws-and cutters to the shaft 30, so that these parts always rotate as a unit. The table 19 is provided at the front end with a strip of steel 37 having a knife edge 38. The strip 37 has slots 39 toreceive the teeth of the saws 32, which are of slightly greater diameter than the splint cutters 33, so that the veneer is cut lengthwise into strips in advance of the cutters 33. The action of the saws 32 and cutters 33 `is best illustrated in Fig. 4. As the veneer 20 advances, the saws 32 cut the same lengthwise into strips in advance of the cutters 33. Then, as thel veneer moves against the cutters 33, the knife-edges 33 of the cutters cut the strips of veneer transversely into splints, one of which is shown at 40 .in Fig. 4. In practice, if the machine Ais used for cutting match splints of standard size, the knife-edges 33 of the cutters 33 are so spaced that the successive teeth of the cut-` ters will cut of lints of about one-tenth of an inch in widt In that case the thick# ness ofthe veneer will also be about the same. I mention these ligures merely because they are the approximate dimensions of certaintypes of matches sold 'in the market. The

shape and width of the splints will be de termined bythe form and arrangement of the teeth on the cutters 33. '(lhe cutting edges 33 of the cutters and the cutting edge 30 of the table 19 in effect form s'hears which clip the splints of clean, leaving no rough edges or splinters. While at the,

. ters by any means suitable for that purpose.- l

I have provided means for driving the cutter shaft 30 at Ithe surface speed of the log 1, so that the speed of the saws and cutters will always be in proportion to the rate of feed of the veneer.' It is obvious that, as

the log 1 is cut away, the surface speed grad- ,l ually decreases and the rate of feed of the veneer is correspondingly reduced, 'For this reason the speed of operation of the saws 32 and splint cutters 33, or at least that of the cutters 33, must `,be reduced in proportion to the decreasing rate of feed of the veneer, in' order to produce splints of substantially uniform width. This automatic regulation of' -lof the roller, the splint cutters 33 will cut splintsof approximately the same width,

= 'without regard to the varying rate of' feed of the veneer. The particular form of drivlng or controlling connection between the pressur'e roller 5 andthe cutter' sha-ft 30 is noty material in the broad.` aspect of -my inl" vention. Inv`the .drawings I have shown a sprocket wheel 41 fixed on the shaftI which carries the roller 5. Another sprocket wheel 42 is fixed near one end of a transverse shaft 43 suitably mounted in the` framework of the machine, as best shown in Fig. 3.` The sprocket wheels 41 and 42 are connected by a chain or other driving member 44. A large' internal gear 45 is fixed upon the shaft 43 and the t'eeth of this gear are in mesh with a pinion 46 rigidly mounted on the projecting endof the cutter shaft 30, as may be seen in Fig. 3.1. In this way Vthe shaft 30 is permanently connected with the` pressure roller 5. which derives suflicient power from the rotating log tof, operate the shaft 30. The

. gear/ratio between theff'oller 5 and shaft 30 width, are matters within the skill of the mechanic., i

Thefrotary cutting mechanism composed of the saws 32 and splint cutters 33 is pref- Vsplints outof the reservoir 53.

erablyenclosed in av casing, which may conveniently be formed by a casting C having a cover 47 hinged at 48. The cover 47 has a rearwardly' projecting lip or flange 49 which forms a beveled undersurface 50 -when the cover is closed, as shown in'Fig.'-1. f

The beveled surface 50 acts as a guide. for the forward edge of the veneer. The cover 47 is readily swungl back to expose the mechanism within. f

The casting C has chambers or passages 51 formed by partitions 52. As seen in Fig. 3, the chambers 51 are in alignment withA the splint cutters 33 and connect with .a common reservoir 53. As the splints are cut oil by-the cutters 33, they drop through the chambers or passages 51 into the common reservoir`53, from which'they are removed in any suitable way-as by a fan 54. If the l splints are used for matches, they are'drawn or blown from the reservoir 53 Vinto an impregnation tank.

It sometimes happens that veneer is not l perfect throughout its entire width as it comes from the log, dueto knots or other faults in thel wood. In order-to separate the faulty splints from the good ones, I provide each of the chambers 51 with'. a deflector.` which the attendant operates to keep faulty Referring'to Fig. 1, it will be seen that each of the chalnbers 51 has an opening 55 in the front wall,

which is normally closed by a defiector 56 pivoted at 57 and provided with a handle 58. The normal` position of each deflector is that shown in full lines in Fig. 1. AIVhen the attendant sees an imperfection in the veneer as it moves toward the cutters, he lifts the handle 58 of the deflector corresponding in position tothe imperfect portion of the veneer..v This throws the delector into the position indicated by the dotted lines v56 in Fig. 1, thereby shutting otf that particular chamber lfrom the reservoir 53 and allowing the faulty splints to sli'de down the inclined detlector 56 into"a waste chamber 59. An exhaustv or blower fan 60 may be used to remove the waste splints from the chainber 59. In this way each stripof veneer is controlled separately, t-hus reducing the waste to a minimum.v

In order to get tapered splints,'sucl1 as are used for toothpicks, it is only necessary to provide a splint cut-ter in which the cutting edges of the teeth are arranged at, alternatelyreverse angles relatively to the axis of the cutter. Such a cutter is shown in Figs. 5 and 6, from which it will be seen that the cutting edges of the teeth are arranged in two sets: The cuttingedges 33a incline in one direction and the cutting edges 33? incline in the opposite'direction relatively to the axis of the cutter. l The'cutting effect of the teeth 33a and 33b is indicated by the dotted lines v2a and 2". on the sheet of veneer`r that ,there is no waste of'matei'ialin cutting tapered splints by this new form of cutter..

In the broad aspect of my invention, I1 am not restricted to the details of constructionx herein set forth. It is obvious that the fun damentalprincple involved in my new automatic splint-cutting machine may be mechanically carried out in various forms of construction without departing from the scope and spirit of my invention asdefined in the appended claims..

What I claimis: t

1. In an automatic splint machine, means for cutting veneer from a rotating log, a table 'over which the veneer` travels foirwardly, a plurality of rotating saws mounted along the front edge of said table to cut the veneer lengthwise -intosstrips of predetermined width, and rotary knives for cutting the strips transversely into. splints. l

2. In an automatic splint machine, means for cutting veneer from a rotating log, a table over which the veneer travels forwardly, the front edge of said table being provided with spaced slots, a plurality of rotar saws mounted along the front edge of sa1d table and extending into said slots to cut the veneer lengthwise into strips of predetermined width, and rotary knives for cutting thestrips transversely into splints.

3. In an automatic splint machine, means for cutting veneer from arotating Jog, a

table over which the veneer travles forwardl the front edge of'said table bein provi ed with spaced slots, a plurality o rotary saws mounted along the front edge of said.A table and extending into said slots to cut the veneer lengthwise into strips of predetermined width, andmeans for cutting the strips transversely into splints.

" 4. In an automatic splint machine, means for cutting veneer from a rotating log, a rotary shaft, a pluralityof spaced circular saws mounted on said shaft to *cut the veneer lengthwise into strips, and a plurality of cylindrical members mounted on said shaft.

between the saws and having cutting edges arranged vto cut the strips transversely into splints. f

5. In an automatic splint machine, a rotary veneer-cutting device comprising a plurality of spaced circular saws adapted to cut the veneer lengthwise into strips, and circularly arranged lmives mounted between said saws to cut the strips transversely into splints. t

6. In an automatic splint machine, means for cutting veneer from a rotating log, a table over which thel veneer travels forwardly, a rotary shaft arranged in front of L the table and substantiallyfparallel with the front edge thereof, aplurality of spaced circular saws mounted on said shaft to cut the veneer lengthwise into strips, and a plurality n rotatin ofrotary knives mountedhon said shaft between the saws to cut the strips transversely into splints, the teeth of saidv saws extend,

ing .radially ybeyond the cutting edges of said knives. 1 i

7.111 an automatic. splint machine, 'a unitary rotary structure lforming a combined veneer-dividing and splint-cutting device, said device comprising a rotary shaft, a plurality of saws fixed on said sha-ft and spaced apart for dividing the veneer lengthwise into strips, and a plurality of cylindrical cutters mounted on said shaft between said saws, said cutters having integral teeth arranged to cut the strips transversely into splints.

8. In an automatic splint machine, means for cutting veneer from a. rotating log, a

mounted inY front of.the table, rotary sawsfiXed on said shaft and having their teeth extending into said slots to cut the veneerl lengthwise into strips,and cutters mounted In an automatic splint machine, means on said shaft between said saws to cooperate with the knife edge of said table for cutting the strips transversely into splints.

10. In an automatic splint machine, means for cutting veneer from a rotating log, a table over which the veneer travels forwardly, a plurality of rotatin saws mounted along the front edge of said table to cut the veneer lengthwise into strips of predetermined width, rotary knives for cuttin the strips transversely into splints, an means for rota-ting said saws and knives in synchronism with the surface speed of the log. 'f

11. n an automatic splint machine, means for cutting veneer from a rotating log, a table over which the veneer travels forwardly, a plurality of rotating saws mount- .ed' along the front edge of'said table to cut lll 13. .In an automatic splint machine,means for supporting a log in position to be ro.-

- tated, a knife arranged to cut veneer from the rotating log, a rotary shaft, la plurality of spaced circular saws mountedon said shaft to cutthe veneer lengthwise into strips, a plurality of cylindrical members mounted on said shaft between tlie saws and having4 cutting edges arranged to cut the strips transversely into splints,-` and means for rotating said shaft in synchronism with the surface speed of the log.

`14. In an automatic'splintmachine,means for supporting a log in position to be rotated, a knife arrangedto cut veneer from the rotating log, a rotary shaft, a plurality of spaced circular saws mounted on said shaft 'to cut the veneer --lengqthwise' into strips,' a plurality of cylindrical members mounted on said shaft between the saws and having cutting edges arranged to cut the strips transversely into splints, .a roller arranged to press lengthwise against the rotating logso as to be driven continuously at the surface speed ofthe log, and drivingr connections between said shaft and said roller.

15. In an automatic splint machine having means for cutting veneer from a Vrotating log, rotary mechanism for cutting the veneer lengthwiseinto strips and cutting the strips transversely into splints, and means for operatlng sald mechanism 1n synchronism with the surface speed of the log.

16. In an automatic splint machine having means for cutting veneer from a rotating log, rotary mechanism for cutting the veneer lengthwise into strips and cutting the strips transversely into splints, a roller arranged to `press -against the rotating log so as to be drivencontinuously at the surfaces eed of the log, and driving connections Eetween said roller and said mechanism.`

v17. In an automatic splintmachine, means for cutting veneer from a rotating log, means for cutting" the `veneer lengthwise into strips of predetermined width, means for cuttmg the strips transversely into splints, a discharge passage in alignment with the splint-cutting means of each strip to receive the splints from that strip,and means for controlling each of said. passages separately.

18. In an automatic splint machine, means for cutting the veneer lengthwise into strips, a plurality of rotary cutting members adapted to cut the strips transversely into splints, a normally open compartment for each member to receive the splints, means associated with each compartment for preventing the passage of splints therethrough, and a common reservoir with which all of said compartments communicate.

19. In an automatic splint machine. means for cutting veneer from a rotating log, means for cutting the veneer lengthwise into strips, a plurality of rotary cutting members adapted to cut the strips transversely into splints, a compartment for each member to receive the splints, a common i reservoir with which all of said compartments normally communicate, a second' reservoir, and a deflector in each compartment for diverting splints into said second reservoir.

20. In an automatic splint machine, a plurality of rotary cutters for cutting splints from strips of veneer a vertical chamber beneath each rotary cutter, a reservoir in vhich all of said chambers terminate to receive the splints, and means for controlling each chamber separately to direct splints into or deflect them out of said reservoir.

21. In an automatic splintmachine, means for cutting veneer from a rotating log,a table over which the veneer travels forwardly, rota-'ry saws so mounted thatihe teeth thereof project above and below the surface of said table( to cut the veneer lengthwise into strips, and rotary knives ar- "ranged torcooperate with the front edge of being arranged at alternately reversed angles relatively to the axis of rotation thereof, whereby said knives cut tapered splints. 23. As a new article of manufacture for use in splint-cutting machines, a cylindrical cutter provided with integnalpteeth projecting in a substantially tangential direction from the body of the cutter, said teeth ter-v minating in\cutti`ng edges arranged at alternately reversed angles relatively .to the axis of the cutter.

24. In an automatic for cutting veneer from a rotating log, a rotary shaft, and a rotary cutting device mounted' on said shaft, said device having teeth to cut the veneer lengthwise into strips and teeth arranged to cut the strips transversely into splints.

25. In a veneer-cutting machine, means splint machine, means for cutting veneer from a 'rotating log, a tableover which the veneer is fed, there being a space or passage below the table, a trap-door in said table for normally closing said passage, and means for operating said trap-door to control the travel of veneer over said table orinto'sad passage.

26. In an' automatic splint machine, a rotary shaft, a plurality of saws on said shaft for cutting the veneer lengthwise into strips, anda plurality 'of cylindrical cutters mounted on said shaft between-said saws, sai-d cut- Iters havinfr integral teeth arranged to cutl tapered 'splints transversely from the front edges of the strips. t y f 27. In an automatic splint4 machine, means for cutting the veneer lengthwise into strips, a table over which the veneer travels, and a'plurality of cylindrical cutters mounted along the front edge of said table soas to extend above .and below the surface thered of, said cutters having integnal teethar ranged to out tapered splints transversely fromthe front edges of the strips.

28. In a veneer-cuttingmachine, means for cutting veneer from a rotating log, a table over which the veneer is fed, a trapdoor in said table, and means for controlling 29. In a veneer-cutting machine, meansv for cutting veneer from a rotating log, atable over whichthe veneer is fed, a section of said table being hinged to form a trapdoor, and means vfor swinging said trapdoor into open and closed positions to control the travel of veneer over said table or through said trap-door.

30. In a veneer cutting m:achine,lmeans for cut-ting veneer from a rotating log, a table over which the veneer is fed, a Section of said table being hinged to form a rtrap-door, and means for swinging said trap-door .into open an-d closed positions, said table and ,said` trap-door having Icooperating knife edges to cut the veneer when the trap-door is closed.

31,'. In an automatic splint machineI having means for cutting veneer from a rotating log, 'rotary mechanism for cutting the veneer lengthwise into strips and cutting the strips transversely into splints, and a rotary shaft on which said mechanism is mounted asa unit.

.WILLIAM H. COLLIER. 

